Encampment

[Gumboots]

*Zemilia returns to where the majoraty of the Earth Elves are camped just south of the river. She tries to put on a brave face as she sends the orders out but there is no doubt about it she is depressed beyond belief. Even Sylor has found it hard to try and keep her perky. She goes to where a tent had been set up for her and lies on the bed. Most of her belongings are still at Pathway but the things she had here were a few maps and a few books. She reaches for one of the maps and grabs a quill with ink and marks a large cross where the new site for the village is going to be. It was not far from here but it would be for the best. After marking the cross she throws it down on the ground and lies back on her bed looking up at the top of the tent where a load of flies had gathered.*

[bedevere]

*Zemilia can hear a coughing outside her tent, as if someone was doing what they can to knock, when there is only canvas to knock on.

A few seconds later, a familiar high elf tune can be heard, being hummed rather badly*

[Gumboots]

*Zemilia rolls over in bed and looks at the shadow on the tent. She sighs and closes her eyes for a while. She waits hoping that they would whistle more in tune. Opening her eyes again she realises that she had been crying and calls with a very croaky voice.*

"Who is it?"

[bedevere]

*Sylors voice filters in through the front of the tent*

It is Sylor. I hope I didn't disturb you?

[Gumboots]

*She rolls back onto her back sighing even deeper. On the floor there is a map, quillk, ink pot and diary which is open on the latest entery. She wipes her eyes making them read but the tears do not stop. Her voice sounds a little choaked. Her expression glum*

"Come in, no you did not disturb me."

[bedevere]

*Sylor enters, and quickly realises why Zemilia sounds so different*

Why so upset? and what can I do to help cheer you up?

[Gumboots]

*She does not look at him only at the ceiling, she shifts slightly making a little more room on her bed. She sighs and speaks quietly.*

"Everything is wrong! Let me end it! Get Threan back! Tell me what is going on? Anything!"

[bedevere]

Get Threan back? My best idea to date for that is already in action, as you know.
Tell you what is going on? that would take quite a while, even if you specified what topic you wanted to know about.
Anything? That gives me a lot of freedom to think about...

Hmm... How about we survey the preparations for the village? its only an hour or two from here, and a peaceful walk should do you good. Get away from the pressures and reminders of your station.

[Gumboots]

*Zemilia looks at him as he starts talking about the Village and holds her breath sighing deeply.*

"The only way I can forget my station now is to hide myself and give it all up, or die. But a walk would be nice."

*She does not however seem to want to get up, eventually she makes a move.*

[bedevere]

*Sylor takes her hand, and after a few words to the guards outside from each of them, they head off.

An hour or so later, and they are a long way into the wilderness, only a mile or so from where their village is to be built.*

Here seems a good place to stop for lunch, eh?

*Sylor puts down his backpack, takes out a large blanket, which he spreads on the ground, and starts getting various food and drink items out too, which he places on the blanket.*

The view here is splendid. You can see for miles down the valley of the heartlands...

[Gumboots]

*Zemilia sits on the blanket and stares around looking down at where the Elves are working and on into the encampment. She nods.*

"It is good, I just wish I knew what was going on, there are so many questions."

*Suprisingly she had left her sash and diary behind at the tent, not thinking of picking it up.*

"So much to do! So close to death."

[bedevere]

I have been close to death several times, but with good friends around, you can always be sure that you will be getting back up again.

Still, such matters are what I brought you here to get away from. This picnic is why we are here, not to review your mens progress. They are capable, and can manage without you for one afternoon. You however, have had to go straight into your role of leadership with no warning or training at all. Therefore, you are taking the afternoon off to relax. No arguments.

*Sylor is smiling as he says this last bit*

[Gumboots]

*Zemilia smilies a little bit at the thought of having the day off. She turns to look away from the work and looks more towards the Boltab Grove.*

"It would be nice, time on our own with no one watching over us or making sure that... I dont know what they chould be making sure of. Its all a mistery. I want to send someone to Dvarni, it was to be Threan but well he is dead, now I do not know who to send who is good at hidding."

[bedevere]

*Sylor looks slightly annoyed, though he is as usual making it clear he is exxaggerating this*

I said no talk of your work this afternoon. This means until we go back, you have no subordinates, no duties, no concerns pressing upon you. For now, there is only a good meal, a good view, and I hope, good company.

[Gumboots]

*Zemilia looks glum for a moment and then breaks into a smile.*

"I do have on concern.... and that is you."

*She looks right in his eyes and there is a faint spark left in hers even if they look duller than normal.*